Otterbein Police Services

Keeping the Campus Community Safe

The Otterbein Police Department is here to serve and protect, as the adage goes. In addition our law enforcement, patrol, and educational programming duties, we perform a variety of services to members of the campus community. We offer security escorts; unlock and jumpstart your car upon request; let you into your residence hall if you forget your Cardinal Card; maintain a campus-wide Lost and Found; and even record the identification numbers of your valuable property.

Otterbein Police Services

During business hours, the University (excluding certain housing facilities) will be open to students, parents, employees, contractors, guests, and invitees. During non-business hours, access to all University facilities is by key, if issued, or by admittance via the Police Department or Residence Life staff. In the case of periods of extended closing, the University will admit only those with prior written approval to all facilities.

Residence halls are secured 24-hours a day and accessible via an authorized Cardinal Card swipe system during the academic year. Over extended breaks, Cardinal Card access will be denied to students without prior arrangements for access. If you have lost or forgotten your Cardinal Card for access into a building, police officers can let you in.

Some facilities may have individual hours, which may vary at different times of the year. Examples are the Library and the Clements Recreation Center. In these cases, the facilities will be secured according to schedules developed by the department responsible for the facility.

Emergencies may necessitate changes or alterations to any posted schedules. Areas that are revealed as problematic have security surveys conducted of them. Administrators from the Dean's Office, Physical Plant, Residence Life, and other concerned areas review these results. These surveys examine security issues such as landscaping, locks, alarms, lighting, and communications. Additionally, during the academic year, the Directors of the Police Department, Service Department, Student Affairs, Residence Life, and various other departments (as appropriate), are in constant contact to discuss issues of pressing concern.

Students, faculty, and staff should register their bicycles to discourage theft and aid in recovery in case it is stolen. Bicycle registration is provided free of charge to members of the Otterbein University Community.

The information on the bicycle is kept on file at the Otterbein Police Department and the Westerville Police Department for several years, so even if a student has graduated, we will be able to provide information on the bicycle if the owner can not locate its serial number. Additionally, the sticker identifies the bicycle as belonging to someone who is at Otterbein University. If it is located by a law enforcement agency, they will contact the University and the bicycle is more likely to be returned to its owner.

Unregistered bicycles and registered bicycles that are left on campus after a student has graduated are considered abandoned and may become part of the University’s Otterbike bicycle loan program.

There is not a limit on the number of bicycles a person can register while they are on campus; however, to be fair to other bicycle owners, members of the community should have no more than two bicycles stored on campus at one time so everyone will have room to store their bicycles.

To register your bicycle, have your serial number, make and color of the bicycle ready, print the Bicycle Registration Form complete the information, and sign. The serial number is engraved on the bicycle frame (not on wheels, etc.) and is often located under the bicycle between the pedals.

Mail the form or stop by our office at 194 W. Main Street during office hours.

Once the Otterbein Police Department and Westerville Police Department has registered your information, you will receive a sticker to affix to your bicycle.

The Otterbein University Police Department will provide assistance to motorists needing a jump-start, for those who are locked out of their vehicle, or help with a flat tire. A waiver of liability must be signed by the person requesting assistance before completion of either request. Proof of vehicle ownership may be requested. There is no charge for the service.

To receive assistance, contact the Otterbein University Police Department at (614) 823-1222.

Leaving the Library late? Been to a late night study group? Do you have an injury that limits your ability to walk to/from class or your residence hall?

If so, please contact the Otterbein University Police Department at (614) 823-1222 to request a Police Officer to escort you to your vehicle, class, or residence hall.

Parking

The Otterbein University Police Department is responsible for parking
administration.
The motor vehicle traffic and parking regulations of Otterbein
University facilitate the safe and orderly operation of vehicles, and
protect members of the campus community.

All cars parking on campus are
required to be registered with the Otterbein Police Department. Students purchase a parking decal online by clicking here. Once the parking decal order has been fulfilled, the student will receive an email advising them to pick up the parking decal at the Otterbein Police Department, located at 194 West Main Street.

Visitor permits are issued by the Otterbein Police Department free of charge upon request by visitors to Otterbein. Registered Otterbein students are not considered visitors. Visitors may obtain a temporary visitor permit in person during regular business hours at the Otterbein Police Department located at 194 West Main Street; or the permit may be faxed or emailed to the visitor upon request. When requesting a visitor permit the Police Department will need the date(s) of the visit and the vehicle’s make, model, color, license plate number and license state. Requests for visitor permits may be made in person at the Otterbein Police Department, by phone at 614-823-1222, by fax to 614-823-1999, or by email to police@otterbein.edu. Visitors do not need a permit during the weekend (Friday 5:00pm through Sunday at midnight) or summer break. Registered Otterbein students are not considered visitors.

Otterbein University assumes no
responsibility or liability for a motor vehicle or its contents while
parked or operated on the property of Otterbein University.